Some names in Nilaveli aren’t written on any brochure, but everyone who’s spent long enough on this coast seems to know them. Mr. Shivam is one of those names — and we wanted to write his story down before it’s only remembered in conversation.
A Swimmer Known Across the Village
Mr. Shivam was known locally as an exceptional swimmer — the kind of talent people in Nilaveli still bring up years later, unprompted. Long before organised tours and safety equipment, he was in this water constantly, and it showed.
Captain of the Old Beach Hotel’s Boats
In his younger years, Mr. Shivam captained boat excursions for one of Nilaveli’s beach hotels — a hotel that opened around 40 years ago and is still running today. Back then, the boats used had small, 8-horsepower engines, nothing like the boats used now. Despite that, he made the trip out to Pigeon Island many times, guiding guests through waters he already knew intimately from a lifetime of swimming them himself.
A Personal Connection, and Why We’re Telling His Story
Our own founder knew Mr. Shivam personally, and like many others in Nilaveli, still speaks about his talent with real respect. Mr. Shivam has since passed away. But the way people in this village still talk about him says something about the impression he left. We wanted to write this down — not as a tourism pitch, but because his name deserves to be remembered alongside the reef he spent so much of his life on.
Frequently Asked Questions
No — that specific boat and its 8-horsepower engine belonged to an earlier era of Nilaveli tourism. Today’s excursion boats are larger and built to current safety standards.
He wasn’t formally connected to our business, but our founder knew him personally, and his story is part of the wider history of boating and swimming in Nilaveli that we wanted to preserve.
It’s still operating today, roughly 40 years after it opened, though under very different circumstances than in Mr. Shivam’s time.
Yes — we’re gathering more stories from elders and fishermen in the area, and we’ll continue sharing them as details are confirmed.
Mostly through word of mouth — conversations with elders, fishermen, and people who’ve worked this coast for decades.
Explore more from our Nilaveli base →
Pigeon Island snorkeling trip details →
Whale and dolphin open-sea mornings →
